Sassafras is easily recognized by its mitten-shaped and three-lobed leaves that can occur on the same tree, and its aromatic bark and roots that smell of root beer. It is the larval host plant for the spicebush swallowtail butterfly. Its dark blue berries on red stalks are an important early fall food for migrants including wood thrush and red-eyed vireo.
Best time to see a Sassafras
The best time to see a Sassafras is March–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 69,471 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Sassafras? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Sassafras sightings near you
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